tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73742977374028995202018-03-07T12:57:14.866-06:00Undercover Runner EatsThe journey is the reward.Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-50329874997123185562011-04-27T14:07:00.000-05:002011-04-27T14:07:09.518-05:00I've Moved!Hey everyone!<br /><br />After thinking long and hard these past few months, I've decided to move the blog over to WordPress so that I would be able to directly respond to comments (<em>a few other factors went in to the decision-making process as well</em>).<br /><br />Be sure to bookmark/update your readers with the new address!:<br /><br /><a href="https://ucrunnereats.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-size: x-large;">https://ucrunnereats.wordpress.com/</span></a><br /><br />Please bear with me through the transition!Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-71641539860238380662011-04-26T18:11:00.001-05:002011-04-26T18:11:48.982-05:00Q + A: Part 1<p><strong>What motivates you to run and how did you start running?<br></strong>I started running back in freshman year of high school. One of my best friends at the time wanted to become involved in a school sports team that she could stick with throughout high school and the cross-country team accepts everyone. She didn’t want to do it alone (<em>new schools are scary!</em>) so I decided to join her and we began training together. I had to quit a couple months in due to injury and was not able to run any other year due to having a job or being involved in other activities. However, every summer I would run when those responsibilities were no longer there. It wasn’t until this past summer (in 2010) that I really got serious about running and loving it after I discovered healthy living blogs on a random <a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/">StumbleUpon</a> venture.<br><br>I run for stress relief. I run for strength. I run for a challenge. I run for recovery. I run for health. I run for inspiration. I run for companionship. I run because I can. As for when I’m actually on my run, my iPod loaded with tons of upbeat music is what keeps my legs moving in the moment. And the satisfaction of what I just accomplished at the end of it keeps me coming back for more.<br><br><strong>If you could have an endless supply of any food, what would you get?<br></strong>Honeycrisp apples, since they are only around for a few months in the fall, are insanely expensive for a fruit, and are, without a doubt, the greatest tasting type of apple on the planet that we call Earth.<br><br><strong>Why don’t you like shopping?<br></strong>With all of the changes that my body has gone through since I hit puberty (<em>which was about a week after I turned 11, by the way</em>), I have had a lot of trouble accepting my new body since it keeps changing. I still wear clothes that I acquired in middle school, not because they fit (<em>they don’t</em>) but because I don’t want to spend money on new clothes when my body is just going to continue changing anyways. It’s always hard for someone who is uncomfortable in their own skin to try on clothes. For me, I see cloth that doesn’t hang the way that it should on a woman and so get discouraged and end up hating this beautiful article of clothing that would otherwise look fabulous on the female form.<br><br><strong>If you could change your name, what would you change it to?<br></strong>I’ve always been a big fan of the name Guinevere/Gwenevere. That way, my nickname would be Gwen!<br><br><strong>What do you want to do when you graduate?<br></strong>Since I’m a Dietetics major at MSU right now, I want to do my internship following graduation so that I can become a Registered Dietitian (RD). I either want to get into Clinical or Private Practice (<em>much further down the road</em>). I’m just now finishing up my second year, so I have a lot of time left to research positions and visit with program directors before I apply anywhere as a senior. I have not yet decided if I will be pursuing a Masters Degree, but I know that nowadays it’s pretty essential to have one in this field if you want to do more.<br><br><strong>Do you count calories/stick to an eating schedule/eat intuitively?<br></strong>I do count calories, because I’m still struggling with my ED. I also want to make sure that I’m eating enough to be able to fuel my training and am hoping that the weight will slowly start coming back on (<em>as muscle, I hope</em>).<br><br>I also have a sort of eating “schedule”, but that is more because I suffer from severe IBS (<em>Irritable Bowel Syndrome, not to be confused with IBD</em>). In managing my condition I have to take medications whenever I eat but I can only take so many pills in a day. I’ve been working hard for the past 6 or 7 months to find my ideal pill/eating routine which minimizes my symptoms and the one that I have now has seemed to work pretty well for the time being.<br><br>I’m still working on eating intuitively, but I think that I’m still a ways off from that and will probably be postponed until I’ve got my weight managed.<br><br><strong>What is a typical day of eats?<br></strong>I’m hoping to answer this in my first ever What I Ate Wednesday (WIAW) post (<em>hopefully in the next week or two?</em>)! While I try to switch things up throughout the week to avoid monotony and ending up hating my favorite foods, I’m sure that after a few weeks of participation in WIAW you will be able to get a fairly good picture of my typical day.<br><br><strong>What are your hobbies?<br></strong>Blogging, cooking/baking, running, reading (<em>more so when I don’t have classes that I have to read for instead</em>). I’ve never been much of a “hobby” person. I knit on occasion when it’s around Christmas as an easy, yet full-of-love, gift for people. I tried scrapbooking for awhile but that didn’t last.<br><br><strong>Are you 100% recovered from your ED?<br></strong>To be honest, no, I am not recovered. My ED went into remission during high school, but since I started college has sprung up again. I in no way consider this a relapse, because I am not restricting or performing my rituals like I did when I was first diagnosed, but I am still exhibiting many of the same mental patterns. It’s a process that, for some like me, takes years and a lot of support to fully get over an ED and I truly think that I am making progress. However, I can’t attach a percentage to it.</p> <p align="center">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <p><strong><em>I’m now on Formspring! I plan on doing a Q&amp;A post once I get enough responses. Seriously, </em></strong><a href="http://www.formspring.me/ucrunnereats"><strong><em>ASK ME ANYTHING</em></strong></a><strong><em>. My running, family, school, ED, nothing is off limits. And it’s </em><em><u>completely anonymous</u></em></strong>, <strong><em>so don’t hold back. I hope to have even more of these Q + A posts when I get even more questions! Perhaps these (above) have given you a few ideas?</em></strong></p> Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-61303845838497617412011-04-25T18:35:00.001-05:002011-04-25T18:35:31.117-05:00The Last Lecture<p><strong><u>FOOD</u></strong></p> <p>Buckwheat Bake Attempt #2: Meh. I upped the cooking temperature and cooking time, as well as cut down a little on the liquids, but it still didn’t seem to be quite right. I’ve decided not to post my recipe, but here’s a picture just the same! This one was at least fully cooked, I just did not think that it was anything too special. <em>I gave it the old girl scout try, though.</em> I’ll probably use the little bit of buckwheat groats that I have left as a smoothie topper unless I can think of something else for them.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TbYFPG22BLI/AAAAAAAAAyM/2kUFDnKhzJ0/s1600-h/buckwheat_bake_thumb2%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="buckwheat_bake_thumb2" border="0" alt="buckwheat_bake_thumb2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TbYFPtDwAEI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/VC7g7bH4q-s/buckwheat_bake_thumb2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p>All of these new breakfasts have made me crave my old bowls of oat bran again, so they have made a reappearance. 1/3 c oat bran, ~2 c water, 1 scoop protein powder, 1 T flaxseed meal, spoonful of crunchy almond butter, and whatever toppings I randomly decide on based on cravings at the time (<em>crumbled cookies, Grape Nuts, chocolate chips, fruit preserves, maple syrup, fresh fruit, etc</em>). This morning I rolled with strawberry preserves and a plum.</p> <p>As promised in my <a href="http://ucrunnereats.blogspot.com/2011/04/pushing-it.html">last post</a>, I have been experimenting after the delivery of my three <strong>pounds</strong> of peanut flour this past weekend. Suffice it to say, I’m literally sick of anything smelling of peanuts for a while, so I hope that this one recipe will be enough for the time being:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TbYFP6tESxI/AAAAAAAAAyU/m9fcxyb9xCE/s1600-h/4_25_11_thumb2%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="4_25_11_thumb2" border="0" alt="4_25_11_thumb2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TbYFQF8VvqI/AAAAAAAAAyY/32_bvK9fO7k/4_25_11_thumb2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p><em><strong><font size="4">Peanut Butter Soufflé Bake<br></font></strong>(based on Carrie’s <a href="http://movesnmunchies.wordpress.com/2011/01/20/mish-mash/">recipe</a>)</em></p> <p>- 1/4 + 1/8 c peanut flour<br>- 2 T applesauce<br>- 1 t baking powder<br>- 1/4 c water or milk<br>- pinch salt<br>- sweetener, as desired</p> <p>Combine and split the batter between 2 ramekins. Bake at 390deg for 15 minutes.</p> <p>I call it a soufflé because it comes out seriously fluffy. You can’t tell just from looking at the surface, but as soon as you get down to the good stuff it’s like peanut-y fluff (<em>I think the picture above shows it pretty well</em>).</p> <p align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p align="left"><strong><u>LIFE</u></strong></p> <p align="left">This was the last week of lectures for the spring semester, which means that <strong>next week is finals week</strong>. I have a pretty light and spread out schedule, so don’t expect the blog or my Twitter to suffer to much. I still plan on being as available, if not more available, than in my average weeks.</p> <p align="left">Today seemed slow, yet speedy at the same time, which seems to happen when I’m really anticipating something (<em>like holidays and the end of countdowns</em>). I just have a sense that this is going to be a weird-feeling week in general and I’ll just have to suck it up and deal with it since it will be over soon enough.</p> <p align="left">Know what I like about one semester ending and the next beginning? <strong>Textbook shopping.</strong> Probably hated by most other college students, because it means spending boatloads of money on books whose materials are worth much less than the retail price, this is not the case for me. I’m fortunate enough to have a loving sister with a terrific job and she offered to pay for all of my textbooks throughout my undergraduate degree as my high school graduation gift. That doesn’t mean that I’m not still a bargain shopper though! I’ll choose <em>used</em> books over <em>brand-spankin’-new</em> probably 96% of the time.</p> <p align="left">I’ve been trying to wrack my brains for birthday gift ideas to but on my wishlist. My parents and boyfriend have been pestering me to add things, but I can’t think of anything! Everything that I want is either food or clothing. I think that food is kind of weird to ask people for for a birthday present and I refuse to get clothing online because I know that things looks very differently on me than in a magazine or on a website. <strong><em>Plus</em></strong>, I never know with sizing! <em>Sigh</em>, right now I just have a few seasons of Big Bang Theory and some running clothes. When did I become so boring?!</p> <p align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p align="left"><strong><u>FITNESS</u></strong></p> <p align="left">Mondays are meant for stretching and yoga, and with nothing but storms and rain in the forecast for this week, it looks like this week is going to be heavy on the DVD cardio and strength workouts and light on the running.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TbYFQV4AluI/AAAAAAAAAyc/0RX4Wfq-JbQ/s1600-h/weather_thumb5%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="weather_thumb5" border="0" alt="weather_thumb5" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TbYFQtIWFEI/AAAAAAAAAyg/KY2lrK0gleM/weather_thumb5_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="475" height="323"></a></p> <p align="left">Luckily, I finished with work early today and the rain just happened to have let up for a little bit. So, I decided to seize the opportunity and went home early so that I could trade in my yoga day for a run. Yoga will be done tomorrow during that nice “Severe Weather” warning instead.</p> <p align="left">Mile 1: 8:47<br>Mile 2: 8:27<br>Mile 3: 8:14<br>Mile 3.5: 4:11<br><strong>Total: 3.5 miles in 29:43</strong></p> <p align="left">The most exciting part? No jacket, no leggings, no gloves, no ear warmers. True, I did wear my long-sleeved technical shirt from my <a href="http://ucrunnereats.blogspot.com/2011/03/run-for-house.html">Run for the House</a> race last month, but still! I was snuggly nonetheless without being cold or overheated.</p> <p align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p align="left"><strong><em>I’m now on Formspring! I plan on doing a Q&amp;A post once I get enough responses. Seriously, </em></strong><a href="http://www.formspring.me/ucrunnereats"><strong><em>ASK ME ANYTHING</em></strong></a><strong><em>. My running, family, school, ED, nothing is off limits. And it’s </em><em><u>completely anonymous</u></em></strong>, <strong><em>so don’t hold back. I have 4 questions as of right now, but would like at least another 3 in order to make it a complete post.</em></strong></p> <p align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p align="left"><strong><em></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>For the “kiddies” – When are you done with classes for the summer?<br>For everyone – What’s your favorite “rainy-day” workout?<br><br>Can anyone help me in my wishlist-making dilemma!?</em></strong></p> Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-58256212115841748302011-04-24T11:50:00.003-05:002011-04-25T18:37:37.704-05:00Pushing It<b><u>POST HAS ACCIDENTALLY BEEN LOST! :'(</u></b>Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-32201330040881274972011-04-23T06:33:00.001-05:002011-04-23T06:33:07.206-05:00Guest Post: MnM<p>Don’t forget to head on over to Carrie’s blog, <a href="http://movesnmunchies.wordpress.com/">Moves ‘N Munchies</a>, and read my guest post!</p> <p><a href="http://movesnmunchies.wordpress.com/2011/04/23/a-girls-struggle-with-anorexia/">http://movesnmunchies.wordpress.com/2011/04/23/a-girls-struggle-with-anorexia/</a></p> Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-7570763082338404042011-04-22T07:12:00.001-05:002011-04-22T07:12:56.434-05:00Girl Scout Law<p><strong><u>FOOD</u></strong></p> <p>My tastes are continuing to be all over the place lately. I blame it on all of the massive weather shifts that have been going on in Michigan right now. Couple this with a serious need to hit up the grocery store, and you have a dilemma on your hands. Enter in the <a href="http://www.une-vie-saine.com/2011/04/blueberry-pancake-bake.html">pancake bake</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TbFwwshfEeI/AAAAAAAAAxU/CDGdQe9KdYE/s1600-h/4_21_115.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="4_21_11" border="0" alt="4_21_11" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TbFwxA6tJSI/AAAAAAAAAxY/lXAoM3KzXqk/4_21_11_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p>Good in theory, but I just didn’t dig it, otherwise I would be posting the recipe. Other than the fact that it had blueberries, it didn’t really taste like anything. If I’m eating something, I want to be able to taste it.</p> <p>All I’ve wanted lately is fruit, <em>fruit</em>, and <u>more fruit</u>. Seriously, basically all vegetables seem unappealing right now. I pretty much have to force myself to throw in a serving or two of vegetables in my meals just so that I can get some in each day. Spinach and carrots are my go-to veggies of choice, as opposed to the sweet potatoes, cauliflower, and broccoli that graced my plate all winter. I’m hoping that this phase will pass. Not that I don’t love fruit, because I do, I just want to make sure I get into a balance.</p> <p>I finally got my hands on some cashews and dates so that I could, <em>at long last</em>, try to make some raw cookie dough balls. After having eaten a Mint Chocolate <a href="http://movesnmunchies.wordpress.com/2010/11/26/mission-accomplished/">Fudgie</a> (based on Carrie’s original Fudgie recipe), and since it’s still Girl Scout Cookie season, I decided to base my recipe on Katie’s <a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2011/03/02/raw-thin-mint-brownies/">Raw Thin Mint Brownies</a> (<em>but in bite form</em>):</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TbFwxjsz06I/AAAAAAAAAxc/Smen0q7AwR4/s1600-h/4_22_11%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="4_22_11" border="0" alt="4_22_11" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TbFwxw0BxBI/AAAAAAAAAxg/ZcHLSo3RIFo/4_22_11_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p><strong><em><font size="4">Raw Thin Mint Cookie Dough Balls</font></em></strong></p> <p>- 30g cashews<br>- 80g dates<br>- 1 T cocoa powder<br>- peppermint extract as desired (Note: a little goes a long way)</p> <p>Combine all in a food processor and blend away until well mixed. Use a tablespoon to scoop out dough and form into balls. Refrigerate or freeze. Makes 10 (1T) dough balls.</p> <p>Perfection. I really do love the combination of chocolate and mint. I really don’t understand why I don’t eat it more often. <em>(P.S. I was a Girl Scout for SEVEN years, so know all about the intricacies that is cookie selling. My mother was even cookie mom one year. It is a LOT of work, people!)</em></p> <p align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p align="left"><strong><u>LIFE</u></strong></p> <p align="left">I seem to have come down with a little something. What started as a cough here and a cough there on Monday has morphed into a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes on Thursday. The only think I’m afraid of is that it’s my mono coming back (<em>I had mono in November 2009</em>). My family thinks that I overexerted myself back then, still forcing myself to go to all of my classes and taking all of my tests, and with finals and summer right around the corner and half-marathon training on my mind, I hope that this is just something that rest, fluids, and a good diet will quickly patch up.</p> <p align="left">I met with my counselor on Thursday and it did not go as well as I had hoped. She acknowledged that I’ve been making progress, but she doesn’t really know what she can do for me. We were both extremely frustrated with each other and having a lot of trouble communicating. I left feeling like nothing really got accomplished, which is never a good feeling. I don’t really know where to go from here. We don’t have another appointment set up and I basically just got the “just keep doing what you’ve been dong for the past 2 weeks” advise. I feel kind of let down.</p> <p align="left">Between everything that’s been going on this week, training, and several crappy nights of sleep, I just want to curl up under my covers and take a mental health holiday. Unfortunately, I have work and class tomorrow. Being an adult really sucks sometimes.</p> <p align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p align="left"><strong><u>FITNESS</u></strong></p> <p align="left">Even with the sore throat, I decided to test my luck and go for my run this afternoon. 4 miles. My knees felt fine, as did my legs except for the onset of lead legs during the last mile. Even my breathing was okay. That is, until the second I stopped running. Nothing like coughing up a good glob of phlegm to make you feel super attractive.</p> <p align="left">Friday is my rest day, so I’m hoping that everything will be cleared up, or at least better than it is now for Saturday or Sunday (<em>whenever I decide to do my long run based on weather and how I feel, going to attempt another 7-miler</em>). Tea, lozenges, and plenty of water will be my weapons of choice. I don’t have a fever, so fingers crossed that this isn’t anything big.</p> <p align="left">I think I’m going to continue running as long as I don’t have a fever or aches and as long as I can still swallow relatively comfortably. Breathing is kind of important when running, like, <em>I need that, right? </em><strong>*insert intentional dumb blonde moment*</strong></p> <p align="center">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <p><strong><em>I’m now on Formspring! I plan on doing a Q&amp;A post once I get enough responses. Seriously, </em></strong><a href="http://www.formspring.me/ucrunnereats"><strong><em>ASK ME ANYTHING</em></strong></a><strong><em>. My running, family, school, ED, nothing is off limits. And it’s </em><em><u>completely anonymous</u></em></strong>, <strong><em>so don’t hold back.</em></strong> <p><strong><em>And don’t forget to check out Carrie’s blog, <a href="http://movesnmunchies.wordpress.com/">Moves ‘N Munchies</a>, tomorrow! I’ll be doing a guest post!</em></strong> <p><strong><em>Did you become sick during training? How did you adjust your training plans accordingly?</em></strong></p> Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-528176945592966252011-04-20T18:09:00.001-05:002011-04-20T18:09:44.084-05:00Everything Is Better In Mini Form<p><strong><u>FOOD</u></strong></p> <p>In my endless search for new, healthy, and yummy recipes, I came across the daughter of <a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/">Katie</a>’s <a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/chocolate-covered-recipes/baked-goods/the-breakfast-pizzert/">Pizzerts</a>. Please greet to the world, <a href="http://katshealthcorner.wordpress.com/">Kat</a>’s <a href="http://katshealthcorner.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/almond-joy-pizzert-babies/"><strong>Baby Pizzerts</strong></a>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/Ta9nr6CMG0I/AAAAAAAAAw8/NTWJlKi5aUY/s1600-h/4_19_11%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="4_19_11" border="0" alt="4_19_11" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/Ta9nsVA3BmI/AAAAAAAAAxA/nQHQ_OIt71g/4_19_11_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p>Because we all know that everything is better when you miniaturize it, <em>right?</em></p> <p><strong><em><font size="4">Baby Pizzerts</font></em></strong></p> <p>- 4 T whole-wheat flour (if making chocolate pizzerts, sub 1T flour for 1T cocoa powder)<br>- 1/2 t baking powder<br>- 2 t sweetener<br>- 1/4 c water or milk<br>- 1 T applesauce<br>- spices and extracts, as desired</p> <p>Combine dry ingredients into a bowl and mix in wet ingredients. Spoon ~1T batter into a sprayed muffin tin (should fill 6). Bake at 350deg for 6-8 minutes. Allow a minute or two to cool. Transfer to a plate and add toppings!</p> <p>I made these last night while watching the season premiere of “16 and Pregnant” and participating in Fit Blog. I did the cocoa powder sub to make then chocolate-flavored, and I added cinnamon and almond extract to the batter. After they came out of the oven, I topped each with a little crunchy almond butter and mini vegan chocolate chips. Simple, but oh so good. These babies are <em>very fluffy</em> and filling, although I wasn’t full for very long and had a bowl of cereal in addition about an hour or so later.</p> <p>Another recent meal has been another <a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/">Katie</a> creation, <strong>Banana Bread in a Bowl</strong>, which is so simple you’ll wonder why you never thought of it before:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/Ta9nstKm_7I/AAAAAAAAAxE/AcsRphQzxoQ/s1600-h/BananaBread_InABowl%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="BananaBread_InABowl" border="0" alt="BananaBread_InABowl" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/Ta9nsz65d7I/AAAAAAAAAxI/zk3tVzFec6k/BananaBread_InABowl_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p><strong><em><font size="4">Banana Bread in a Bowl</font></em></strong></p> <p>- 1 banana (fresh or frozen)<br>- 1 c flake cereal (I used Grape Nut Flakes)<br>- 1 c milk (I used Light Vanilla Silk)</p> <p>Put in a blender, blend, and top with cinnamon or even a few walnut pieces if you so choose! <em>See?</em> Didn’t I tell you that it was easy? I might want to use a bigger flaked cereal next time (<em>Grape Nut flakes are super small</em>), but you definitely got the texture in there which brought this simple blend to the next level.</p> <p align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p><strong><u>LIFE</u></strong></p> <p>I have my next counselor meeting tomorrow after work to check up on how I’ve been doing with “Mission: Increase Protein Intake”. I think I’ve been doing pretty well actually! I don’t like that it pretty much has be to a conscious decision to choose a protein-rich food over another food that I may want more, but I know that it’s important at this stage because I’m trying to build muscle mass and my old way of eating (<em>meaning <u>maybe</u> only get 30-40g protein a day</em>) was probably more hurtful than helpful. Hopefully she’ll agree that I’ve been making a real effort and that I’m on the right path.</p> <p>I found out a few days ago that my boss is quitting because she feels too overburdened at work (this position is actually a second job in addition to a teaching position that she has at another university). I completely understand that she is treated poorly and that the position is far too much for one person to do effectively and efficiently. However, when I signed on to do this job I was told that I was guaranteed my position through graduation. With a new boss, I no longer feel like I have this guarantee and that is pretty scary. I’m being expected to carry our office through the transition, but I haven’t been around long enough or been involved deeply enough in the actual processes to know how to help a new director out.</p> <p align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p><strong><u>FITNESS</u></strong></p> <p>Ever since my easy run on Monday, the back of my knee has been acting up. It’s funny. It feels fine when I’m actually doing something physical, like yoga or walking, but when I stop and sit <em>that’s</em> when it starts to be sore. I’ve been elevating it and icing it at home, and I’m hoping that as long as I do this after every workout that it will go away fairly quickly. I did a little research this morning and think that I have one of the most common injuries that runner’s get (<em>although I don’t think that this is quite so severe that I’d term it an injury</em>): Runner’s Knee. I can’t be sure, because of course I’m diagnosing myself and only have words to describe the discomfort and not any visuals.</p> <p>I tested out my knee by running an easy 3 miles today. No pain whatsoever. After coming home to stretch and do some ab and upper body work, I iced and elevated both knees on and off for about 30 minutes. So far so good, but the real test will be later tonight or when I wake up tomorrow morning.</p> <p><em>Oh!</em> Did I ever mention to you guys that I finally broke down and bought myself the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerunner-Receiver-Heart-Monitor/dp/B000CSWCQA">Garmin Forerunner 305</a>? Well, I did, and it was probably one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made. Seriously! This thing is amazing, I love it! If outdoor running is a big part of your life and you have made running a part of your life then I would definitely recommend making the investment.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/Ta9ntY5WSxI/AAAAAAAAAxM/eBjWj9yHqlI/s1600-h/51lHg9ZcN7L%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="51lHg9ZcN7L" border="0" alt="51lHg9ZcN7L" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/Ta9nt6eoChI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/GZFl1QNeHhY/51lHg9ZcN7L_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="369"></a></p> <p align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p align="left"><strong><em>I’m now on Formspring! I plan on doing a Q&amp;A post once I get enough responses. Seriously, </em></strong><a href="http://www.formspring.me/ucrunnereats"><strong><em>ASK ME ANYTHING</em></strong></a><strong><em>. My running, family, school, ED, nothing is off limits. And it’s </em><em><u>completely anonymous</u></em></strong>, <strong><em>so don’t hold back.</em></strong></p> <p align="left"><strong><em>Any advise on my knee situation? Have you had a similar experience before?<br>Do YOU Fit Blog Tuesday nights?</em></strong></p> Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-23731165406236883272011-04-18T17:31:00.001-05:002011-04-18T17:31:38.098-05:00Spring One On Me<p><strong><em>I’m now on Formspring! I plan on doing a Q&amp;A post once I get enough responses. Seriously, </em></strong><a href="http://www.formspring.me/ucrunnereats"><strong><em>ASK ME ANYTHING</em></strong></a><strong><em>. My running, family, school, ED, nothing is off limits. And it’s </em><em><u>completely anonymous</u></em></strong>, <strong><em>so don’t hold back.</em></strong></p> <p align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p><strong><u>FOOD</u></strong></p> <p>As if you couldn’t tell, I’ve been getting bored with my breakfasts pretty quickly lately. Not that they aren’t absolutely delicious, <em>because they are</em>, I just want to switch it up more.</p> <p>So, my latest endeavor has been into the world of <a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/chocolate-covered-recipes/baked-goods/the-breakfast-pizzert/"><strong>Pizzerts</strong></a><strong>&nbsp;</strong>a la <a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/">Katie</a>. My first attempt Sunday night did not turn out that great, but I ate it regardless. <em>Why waste?! (We’ll just ignore the fact that I also forgot that the pan was hot and I burned myself pretty bad. <strong>SO</strong> fortunate that I don’t have a blister right now. Heat + metal + skin = ouch!)</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/Tay7xEkJxOI/AAAAAAAAAws/zV82iSMCwl0/s1600-h/pizzrt4%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="pizzrt4" border="0" alt="pizzrt4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/Tay7xva2gvI/AAAAAAAAAww/-9v8BgPmMPM/pizzrt4_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p>Yes, I even added Christmas sprinkles. Topped with So Delicious vanilla coconut milk yogurt (<em>new at my Kroger!</em>) and mini vegan chocolate chips. Luckily, the next morning I had a better idea of what I was working with and, with my alterations, made the most bomb-diggity Pizzert <em>evah</em>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/Tay7x7KH3pI/AAAAAAAAAw0/Iph5b2eCOCM/s1600-h/14%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="14" border="0" alt="14" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/Tay7yKaEP_I/AAAAAAAAAw4/xY7hFFSD0Mw/14_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p align="left">Double Chocolate Chip. I added cocoa powder, flaxseed meal, and mini vegan chocolate chips and topped it all off with protein frosting (2 T vanilla protein powder, cinnamon, water). Like with most of Katie’s recipes, the possibilities are literally endless. Expect to see more of these in the near future. They are HUGE. Literally the size of my outspread hand. I was satiated for quite a few hours before delving into my on-campus snacks.</p> <p align="left"><strong><em><font size="4">Basic Pizzert</font></em></strong></p> <p align="left">- 1/2 c whole-wheat flour<br>- 1 tsp baking powder<br>- sweetener (I used 4 tsp Truvia)<br>- 1/2 c water or milk<br>- 2 T applesauce (or coconut oil, pumpkin, canola oil, banana, etc)<br>- 1/8 tsp salt<br>- spices and extracts, as desired</p> <p align="left">Mix everything together and pour into a greased pan. Cook in an <u><strong><em>UN</em></strong>preheated</u> oven at 430deg for 12 minutes. Allow to cool for at least a minute or two before transferring to a plate (or else it will fall apart), or just eat out of your pan! Serves 1 or 2 depending on if this is a meal or a snack or if you just feel like sharing or have a big appetite.</p> <p align="left">I have another Katie-inspired recipe in mind for sometime later this week. I just <strong><em>know</em></strong> that you’ll all be on your toes waiting to see what it is.</p> <p align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p><strong><u>LIFE</u></strong></p> <p>Monday marked the beginning of the last 2 weeks of classes (plus finals week = 3). Last night I finished up the last of my readings (<em>that I know of</em>) and so now, other than my exams/tests and a few quizzes, I’m done and get to take it pretty easy for the next month until summer classes begin. That’s not to say that I’m just going to be sitting around the house. I <em>am</em> in training after all. And I would love to be able to see my friends more while I can and now that they are finishing up at their respective universities as well.</p> <p>It actually <em>snowed</em> all day today. In the middle of April. With only a few week left until May/most people’s summer vacations begin. How is this fair?! Michigan, thou art a heartless b*@$%. I had to dig my winter boots and winter coat out of storage this morning with a very pouty face.</p> <p>I’m still making very good headway on my <a href="http://ucrunnereats.blogspot.com/p/40-in-400.html">40 in 400</a> list. Nothing has been <strong>completed</strong> yet, but, then again, quite a few of my goals involve multiple days. Today marks the <em>actual</em> 400th day from my 21st birthday and things are looking good so far to get things completed on time. <em>As if I can tell over a year out, right?</em> But I truly do have every confidence in myself to complete each and every one of those in plenty of time (as in, not waiting until the week before to check off half the list). There will, for sure, be some crossing out involved before April is over. 100% <u>Guaranteed</u>.</p> <p align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p><strong><u>FITNESS</u></strong></p> <p>This weekend, due to bad weather conditions, I traded in my run for my first shot at Jillian Michaels’ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jillian-Michaels-Banish-Boost-Metabolism/dp/B001NFNFN0/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1303070326&amp;sr=1-1">Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism</a> DVD that I got in the mail last week. I bought this DVD because I really like the other Jillian DVD I have and <a href="http://movesnmunchies.wordpress.com/">Carrie</a> highly recommended this one. I <strong><em>loved</em></strong> it. There are 7 circuits I think and all are pretty intense, but short so that you aren’t stuck doing the same thing for very long, which makes it easier in my opinion. You really don’t feel like you’re moving for almost an hour and you do so many moves it’s insane. Can’t wait to try this again on the next bad-weather day.</p> <p>Since Michigan is basically a woman going through menopause, it has been deciding to switch between beautiful sun, rain, and snow for the past week and it seems to be continuing into this week as well. I check the forecast religiously and decided to swap my run tomorrow with my yoga today and went out for a chilly 4 miles.</p> <p>Mile 1: 8:51<br>Mile 2: 8:40<br>Mile 3: 8:23<br>Mile 4: 8:19</p> <p>Look at those awesome splits! I don’t think I’ve had many runs where I truly get faster each mile before. I think it helped that I was thinking about all of those people that competed in the Boston Marathon earlier today (<em>which I followed on my Twitter feed in between classes</em>). Can you believe the winner broke the world record?! Too bad it doesn’t count. Something about needing to begin and end in the same place and a few other silly rules.</p> <p align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p><em><strong>Did you watch/follow the Boston Marathon today?</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Click the link at the top to ask me an anonymous question on Formspring! It may be featured on an upcoming post!</strong></em></p> Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-39373629207809477232011-04-16T16:00:00.001-05:002011-04-16T16:00:10.164-05:00The Little Engine That Couldn’t And The One That Could<p><strong><u>FOOD</u></strong></p> <p>As much as I love my <a href="http://ucrunnereats.blogspot.com/2011/04/bow-chicka-wow-wow.html">boatmeals</a>, I have an opened box of oatbran that I’m trying to get through while the mornings are still cold. Lately, I’ve been combining 1/3 c oatbran with 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, 1 T crunchy almond butter, and topping it off with Grape Nuts, maple syrup and a chopped-up <a href="http://movesnmunchies.wordpress.com/2010/11/26/mission-accomplished/">fudgie</a>. Extremely <em>creamy</em> and filling. And such a nutritional dynamo! <em>(Especially when I remember to add in flaxseed meal and/or chia seeds.)</em></p> <p>I also tried <strong>tempeh</strong> for the first time this past weekend. I read that you should steam and/or marinate it first, so I filled a pan with about 1” water, boiled it, and steamed the tempeh for 10 minutes. In the meantime, I made up some of <a href="http://www.britchickruns.com/">Freya</a>’s <a href="http://britchickruns.wordpress.com/2010/06/26/and-so-it-begins/">Peanut-Maple-Banana Sauce</a>. <em><strong><u>zomg</u></strong></em> so good. I loved the sweetness the sauce added to my meal, since lunch/dinner is usually a savory affair for me. It made for a great first-time tempeh experience. I will probably cover the rest of my tempeh package with this sauce, it was <em>that</em> good.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TaoDVILHqzI/AAAAAAAAAwc/ko0qBhJX9IM/s1600-h/tempeh_PBMapleBanana2%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="tempeh_PBMapleBanana2" border="0" alt="tempeh_PBMapleBanana2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TaoDVim0-qI/AAAAAAAAAwg/wpCh8hFeizg/tempeh_PBMapleBanana2_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p align="left"><strong><u>LIFE</u></strong></p> <p align="left">Even though I haven’t had any pain for two weeks, on Friday my body decided to rebel in spades. It started at work when I just had a little pain. I ignored it at first and ate a snack anyway. Then, when I stood up, a huge wave of nausea hit. However, I couldn’t go home because participation in my class was required that day. I took the meds that my doctor gave me for those rare occasions that nausea hits, which ended up helping about 45-60 minutes later, but left me light-headed and dizzy for the rest of the day. Not really a very good thing to be happening when you have to drive yourself home and then drive back to puck your mom up from work.</p> <p align="left">Because of all this, I decided not to push my luck with the all-nighter for Relay for Life. I feel terrible; like I let my team down by not being there. I had to bail early last year for medical reasons as well. I had already scheduled Friday as my rest day from working out, so at least that worked out okay. At least I didn’t waste my recuperation time. I finished a 10-page (<em>13-page if you count cover page and references</em>) Honors Anthropology paper and got caught up on Physiology and I even got the chance to watch Harry Potter (<em>the most recent one</em>) for the first time. <strong>SO LONG, </strong>but good. I had forgotten a bunch of stuff that happened since I read the book so long ago.</p> <p align="left">Saturday, I got a really awesome surprise in the mail:</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TaoDWPCC3HI/AAAAAAAAAwk/1ARYT1_iG2Q/s1600-h/SunWarrior_shirts%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SunWarrior_shirts" border="0" alt="SunWarrior_shirts" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TaoDWVIKlII/AAAAAAAAAwo/BSOVeJhyl6E/SunWarrior_shirts_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p align="left">2 free T-shirts from Sunwarrior! I had forgotten that I entered their protein naming contest, but apparently all participants got free shirts. I’m not complaining!</p> <p align="left">Tonight I’m going out for a friend’s 20th birthday. I actually get to dress up and look pretty for something for a change! It should be pretty low-key though, because she has some pretty serious medical issues and so kind of has to stay at home or the hospital. I’m okay with low-key! I can only stand being rambunctious every once in a while. Most of the time I think rowdiness is just plain annoying (<em>MAN does that make me sound old</em>).</p> <p align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p align="left"><strong><u>FITNESS</u></strong></p> <p align="left">Like I said above, with my IBS acting up, I was afraid that I was sabotaged for my schedule long run this weekend. Luckily, as you can see below, that was not the case.</p> <p align="left">Mile 1: 9:10<br>Mile 2: 8:38<br>Mile 3: 8:20<br>Mile 4: <em>8:16 &lt;--- woah, what!?<br></em>Mile 5: 8:28 &lt;--- stopped to glug water and pop a <a href="http://www.powerbar.com/products/236/powerbar-energy-blasts-gel-filled-chews-raspberry.aspx">gel chew</a><br>Mile 6: 8:28<br>Mile 7: 8:20<br><strong>Total: 59:43</strong></p> <p>I was literally almost in tears at the end I was so proud of myself. This is a Personal Distance Record for me. I had originally planned to only do 4 or 5, but I just felt so good that I decided to keep going and I am <em>so</em> glad that I did. My body is so strong and I really don’t give it enough credit most of the time. I even pampered it a bit once I got back home with some frozen vegetables on my knees. They weren’t hurting during the actual run, but after I got cooled down a bit they were getting a little achy and I didn’t want to risk just waiting it out.</p> <p><strong><em>Have you tried tempeh before? What did you make with it?</em></strong></p> Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-43674336858689537042011-04-13T22:08:00.001-05:002011-04-13T22:08:12.413-05:00Bow Chicka Wow Wow<p><strong><u>FOOD</u></strong></p> <p>More baked oatmeal! Blueberry Muffin (with blueberries):</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TaZlE6_nT3I/AAAAAAAAAwA/n4t8ok2AVZA/s1600-h/8.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="8" border="0" alt="8" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TaZlFBW9FLI/AAAAAAAAAwE/ee6wNGZ5-mU/8_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p>High-Protein (with vanilla protein powder):</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TaZlFSRzyYI/AAAAAAAAAwI/vGGbXyNRCvg/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="9" border="0" alt="9" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TaZlFpbsbWI/AAAAAAAAAwM/elLKgrsbiTs/9_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p>As promised, here is the basic recipe that I follow:</p> <p><strong><em><font size="3">Baked Oatmeal</font></em></strong></p> <p>- 1/2 c oats (instant or old-fashioned)<br>- 1/4 c milk or water (I used coconut)<br>- 1/4 c applesauce<br>- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract<br>- 1/16 tsp salt<br>- cinnamon</p> <p>Preheat oven to 375deg. Combine dry ingredients and mix in wet. Pour into a greased ramekin (or several if you want mini-boatmeals). Cook for 20 minutes (or longer if you want a nice crunchy top). Allow to cool. You can eat straight out of the ramekin or transfer to a plate. Add your favorite toppings, you really can’t go wrong! (maple syrup, granola, coconut, chocolate chips, blueberries, nut butter, etc…). You can bake this up the night before or the day of. I prefer the night before, but for PB-Stuffed (<em>below</em>) I would definitely eat it as soon as it’s cool enough to eat!</p> <p><em>Variations (that I’ve tried so far):<br></em>- Cookie Dough: Add 1 T vegan chocolate chips.<br>- Blueberry: Add 1/4 c blueberries.<br>- High-Protein: Add 1 scoop protein powder.<br>- PB- Stuffed: Half-fill ramekin with batter, add 1-2 T nut butter in center, cover with remaining batter. <strong><em>(**FAVORITE)</em></strong></p> <p>I also made bulgur for the first time last night. I loved it! It actually tasted kind of buttery even though I only added a little salt. I served it up with asparagus, mushrooms, and corn. I’ve also been loving me some banana soft-serve and flavoring it with raspberry Torani SF syrup (<em>yes, it is chemically, but I don’t use it every day, everything in moderation!</em>).</p> <p>Oh, and last night I finally caved and ordered 3-1lb. bags of peanut flour (to meet the minimum order requirements). I have seen peanut flour all over the blog world for the past few months and can’t wait to have it in my pantry. Hope that it gets here soon! Also, thanks to Carrie at <a href="http://movesnmunchies.wordpress.com/">Moves ‘N Munchies</a>, I scored a <em>sweet</em> deal on a variety pack from <a href="http://www.kaiafoods.com/">Kaia Foods</a>. Super psyched for this as well!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TaZlGIM2UsI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/hDcwSbSAC-M/s1600-h/medium%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="medium" border="0" alt="medium" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TaZlGjA07YI/AAAAAAAAAwU/UJd49TsV7hw/medium_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="350"></a></p> <p align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p><strong><u>LIFE</u></strong></p> <p>Term paper got turned in. Got a 4.0 on my physiology exam. I even had my first <em>ever</em> class cancelled and got to go home early on a day that is usually pretty long for me! It was an excellent Hump Day Wednesday to break up my week. Especially since I’m stressing out a bit for Relay for Life this weekend. The weather forecast is looking kind of iffy and I’m nervous about getting assignments done for next week and getting adequate sleep and fuel for a long run (<em>5 miles planned</em>).</p> <p>The Mike Posner concert was just okay. Mostly drunk freshmen. I was a little disappointed that he didn’t perform any of the songs from his demo CD, but the two songs I knew were pretty good. Plus, I got to see my boyfriend in the middle of the week for once! Always a plus.</p> <p><strong><em>VERY EXCITING NEWS!:</em></strong> I’m doing a guest post for Carrie over at <a href="http://movesnmunchies.wordpress.com/">Moves ‘N Munchies</a>. It should be posted on the <strong>23rd</strong> of this month. I hope that you all will read it when it comes out!</p> <p align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p><strong><u>FITNESS</u></strong></p> <p>I’ve added the <a href="http://www.dailymile.com/people/ucrunnereats#ref=tophd">dailymile</a> training widget on the side of the blog so you can see my latest workout and overall mileage for the year/since I joined dailymile without even leaving the blog! <em>Nice of me, huh?</em></p> <p>Runs and workouts have been going fabulously. I’m still in <strong><em>love</em></strong> with my Garmin, especially once I figured out how to record my splits automatically. It also logs elevation so you can see how hilly the route you just ran was. You may not even realize the elevation changes you go through!</p> <p>It has been quite windy lately, which makes me feel like I’m running slower (<em>and I am, a little</em>) due to having to run <strong>into</strong> the wind, but I think I’ve been trooping it out pretty well. Also, the temperatures are warming up and it’s that awkward time where it’s too cold to not wear layers, but once you’re running in the sun you sweat like crazy and want to shed them. I just need a few degrees more and I will be comfortable in just my t-shirt and shorts!</p> <p><strong><em>What is/are your favorite recipe(s) using peanut flour? What should I make first?! I have my eye on <a href="http://movesnmunchies.wordpress.com/2011/01/20/mish-mash/">this</a> recipe. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" alt="Winking smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TaZlGyj2R0I/AAAAAAAAAwY/vZMHrKEnE2k/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800"></em></strong></p> Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-60660448600184093652011-04-11T08:24:00.001-05:002011-04-11T08:24:04.708-05:00High Five<p><strong><u>FOOD</u></strong></p> <p>Breakfasts this weekend have been totally <em>amazeballs</em>! Remember my <a href="http://ucrunnereats.blogspot.com/2011/04/powerhouse.html">boatmeal from Friday</a>? Well, I did two more variations on that recipe on Saturday and Sunday as well. <strong>Cookie Dough Baked Oatmeal</strong>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TaMA7f4C8HI/AAAAAAAAAvo/cEjrQcXvL1U/s1600-h/IMG_0002%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0002" border="0" alt="IMG_0002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TaMA7rH8usI/AAAAAAAAAvs/f2asd-8lwhs/IMG_0002_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p>And this, my favorite of the weekend, <strong><em>Peanut Butter-Stuffed Baked Oatmeal</em></strong> with a cinnamon apple compote sort of a thing on top:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TaMA8FGPlKI/AAAAAAAAAvw/YJ_5QH12nvM/s1600-h/IMG_0011%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0011" border="0" alt="IMG_0011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TaMA8ToAHxI/AAAAAAAAAv0/PxI-kzT-nhc/IMG_0011_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p>I’ll probably be posting both of those recipes the next time I make them, I just wanted to make sure that they turned out well enough to be worth tweaking and posting.</p> <p>Other recent eats include iced oatmeal cookies, macaroni and “cheese”, taco salads, and strawberry-banana “soft-serve”.</p> <p align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p><strong><u>LIFE</u></strong></p> <p>Three more weeks of classes and one exam week to go. Then one week off and right into summer session. I’m determined to graduate in 4 years and not a semester more! Management, Psychology, Spanish, and Kinesiology are going to be my best friends from May-August and I’m perfectly okay with that.</p> <p>This week seems to be shaping up to be quite fast. Today, I have a term paper to turn in; exam on Tuesday; 6-page rough draft of research paper due and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq-nBujdb4I">Mike Posner</a> concert on Wednesday; and <a href="http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&amp;fr_id=29889">Relay for Life</a> for the American Cancer Society from Friday through Saturday (overnight).</p> <p>Record highs this weekend in the area. With all this heat, and our air conditioning not being turned on yet for the season, all I want are cold drinks and fruit!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TaMA8g9mf6I/AAAAAAAAAv4/zF4JG34VvLc/s1600-h/4_10_11%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="4_10_11" border="0" alt="4_10_11" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TaMA8wNobMI/AAAAAAAAAv8/T7ttEr_guO8/4_10_11_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="405"></a></p> <p align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p><strong><u>FITNESS</u></strong></p> <p>Progress on <strong>#29</strong>. My boyfriend and I went to a new-ish Thai restaurant in town. It was actually pretty good! If only I weren’t so sensitive to spicy foods. I got a mild Pad Pak with tofu and even <em>that</em> was too hot for me! But, it was the perfect dinner after my awesome 5-miler on Saturday.</p> <p>Mile 1: 8:31<br>Mile 2: 8:19<br>Mile 3: 8:07<br>Mile 4: 8:14<br>Mile 5: 8:13</p> <p>I ran into some trouble once I hit 3.6 miles, so I took it a bit slower for the rest of the run, hence the increase in time for miles 4 and 5. I’m pretty sure that this is the first time that I’ve run 5 consecutive miles since August, so I was pretty pumped up after this run! I chugged some <a href="http://silksoymilk.com/content/single-serve-very-vanilla">Very Vanilla Silk</a> once I got back to the house. <em>Delicious! </em>I’m so glad that I’ve learned better what to do in reference to fueling my runs, both before and after. And I can’t wait to learn even more!</p> <p>I’ve been sticking with my training plan pretty well so far. Only a few hiccups with weather interfering. But, I’ve got several fitness DVDs so I think I can handle a day or two of Crunch or Jillian rather than going out on a run. Just as long as it isn’t <em>everyday</em>. I get bored with dong the exact same thing every time I watch a DVD. Whereas running is a new experience every time! Again, you can follow my training on <a href="http://www.dailymile.com/people/ucrunnereats#ref=tophd">dailymile</a> or the <a href="http://ucrunnereats.blogspot.com/p/training.html">“Training” tab</a> up top.</p> <p><strong><em>Anyone else craving fruit now that the weather is finally heating up?</em></strong></p> Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-29865011036007276262011-04-08T13:41:00.001-05:002011-04-08T13:41:19.447-05:00Powerhouse<p>Still no gum. Still taking at least one picture every day. Here’s the one for today, which was also my super fantastic breakfast:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TZ9WzR8OZGI/AAAAAAAAAvg/JH-jAHj5AKQ/s1600-h/5%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="5" border="0" alt="5" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TZ9WzvWph7I/AAAAAAAAAvk/Vlt4DsJ88xQ/5_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p><strong><em>Boatmeal</em></strong>! (Baked Oatmeal) Inspired by <a href="http://www.une-vie-saine.com/">Gabriela</a> and <a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/">Katie</a>.</p> <p>The night before, combine:<br>- 1/2 c instant oats<br>- 1/4 c coconut milk<br>- 1 tsp vanilla extract<br>- 1 T agave nectar<br>- 1 T creamy peanut butter (I used <a href="http://ilovepeanutbutter.com/index.php/peanut-butter-1/whitechocolatewonderful.html">White Chocolate Wonderful</a>)<br>- 1/2 large banana, mashed</p> <p>Poured into a ramekin and bake at 375 for 20 minutes. I then took it out of the ramekin, put it on a plate, and wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge overnight. <em>It smelled just like a peanut butter cookie!</em></p> <p>The next morning, I followed Gabriela’s topping recipe for protein powder “frosting” (<em>though mine is really more of a glaze)</em>: 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, drizzle of maple syrup, cinnamon, and water. The boatmeal was <strong><em>super</em></strong> dense and chewy and just plain amazing. I was very satiated and almost couldn’t finish this baby, but it really helped power me through 70 minutes of lecture and 2 hours of work. I’m definitely hanging on to this recipe for another day.</p> <p align="center">---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p>I met with my counselor today and, after doing a dietary analysis, has come to the same conclusion I have recently. I need more protein. I’m good for calories if I were trying to maintain weight, but to gain I really need to be eating more. We’re going to work on that more later, but for right now I’m on the low end of normal for fats and carbohydrates, but <strong>very</strong> low in protein. So, my “assignment” in the next two weeks is to really work on protein intake, which I’ve really been trying to make a more conscious effort of increasing in the past week.</p> <p>Today is a rest day, as tomorrow is supposed to be nice outside and I have a “long run” according to my training plan (<em>I don’t really consider 4 miles a long run</em>). Plus, with my mile-long To-Do list I could use an extra hour or two that would have normally been spent working out today. Plus, your body needs rest! I was quite tempted to still work out today, though, because I got a new workout DVD in the mail, but I resisted. I hope this means that my run tomorrow will be super amazing and powerful now.</p> <p>In other news, I found a white hair today on my way on to campus. Now, I’ve been finding white hairs now and again since senior year of high school, and I usually chalk it up to periods of extreme stress. True, the past two weeks or so have been pretty stressful, but I didn’t think it was bad enough to give me a few white hairs. Hoping that no more pop up anytime soon!</p> <p><strong><em>What are people’s plans for the weekend?</em></strong></p> Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-56415549935920207402011-04-06T21:35:00.001-05:002011-04-06T21:35:27.485-05:00Coasting<p>I’ve entered into the last 4 weeks of classes (<em>now almost 3!</em>), which means that everything is speeding up and slowing down at the same time. Due dates are rapidly approaching and I’m running out of wiggle room in which to to my coursework, even though I’m hardly ever behind and always try to be ahead if anything.</p> <p>I’ve started working on <strong>#5</strong> and <strong>#37</strong> from my “<a href="http://ucrunnereats.blogspot.com/p/40-in-400.html">40 in 400</a>”, and I’ve already made my new recipe for the month to count towards <strong>#17</strong>. I started taking pictures two days ago so 4/4/11 will mark the beginning of the 365 photo project. Meaning, I should be wrapping up THAT goal on 4/2/12 (<em>2012 is a leap year</em>). <em>It all begins with a single step/photo…</em> I also decided to do the gum-chewing goal right now as well because I’ve been dealing with some tongue/mouth issues that has forced me to not chew gum for awhile. My month without gum will thus be 3/30/11-4/30/11 (since the issue started before I wrote the list).</p> <p>Anyways, I’ve been back home for almost 2 weeks now and things seem to be going oaky. I’m still adjusting to having to create new ways to get to work/class, but I think I almost have it down now. I do feel like I’m being less productive, though. Or at least I seem to be starting my homework later in the day than I did at the toxic apartment, although I don’t feel like I’m wasting more time doing anything. I’m hoping this is just a coincidence with the end of the semester also coming up and me taking my workouts more seriously.</p> <p><em>Picture to break up the post. I recently made these Black Bean Brownies from my </em><a href="http://happyherbivore.com/recipe/vegan-blackbean-brownies/"><em>Happy Herbivore</em></a><em> cookbook. If only my taste buds would <strong>hurry up</strong> and grow back so that I could have actually been able to tell what they tasted like. But I <strong>must</strong> try making these again sometime soon:</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TZ0i7XPVR1I/AAAAAAAAAvY/SXXjgy-tKDM/s1600-h/IMG_0015%5B17%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0015" border="0" alt="IMG_0015" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TZ0i7hhU0GI/AAAAAAAAAvc/c5rBVRQaoQ4/IMG_0015_thumb%5B14%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="338"></a></p> <p>I’m also completely scheduled for this Summer, Fall, and next Spring semester. Lots of courses to look forward to! Most related to Dietetics, but some for my specialization (Health Promotions) and just for fun (<em>aka Ellen wants to take a language course</em>). I won’t be posting on those yet, but think I’m going to wait until the respective semesters start. Though you can always request to know ahead of time.</p> <p>I know this is a short post, but I just wanted to post something before I meet with my ED counselor next (this Friday). Not sure what to expect since the last time we met I was still planning on going to Tanzania. She gave me the assignment to send her a food diary sort of thing as examples of the foods I eat, when, and in what quantities. It was really hard to do this since my tastes change so much and so do my daily intakes, and I’m not great at keeping a stocked kitchen. Seriously, I <strong>really</strong> need to go grocery shopping tomorrow or I’ll be eating nothing but pasta for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.</p> <p>I’m going to try to get into posting more than once a week again, but you still shouldn’t really expect any pictures. If there’s a picture, then it’s probably a big deal, <em>haha</em>. I’ll probably post again sometime Saturday or Sunday, so, <em><strong>stay tuned</strong>!</em></p> <p>Don’t forget, you can <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/ucrunnereats">follow me</a> on Twitter (<em>I’m literally on it all the time and always get a thrill when I get an @ mention</em>) and on <a href="http://www.dailymile.com/people/ucrunnereats">dailymile</a> to follow my training, but I’ll probably add another tab at the top of the blog as well when I find the time.</p> Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-79593069573259383362011-04-02T10:42:00.001-05:002011-04-02T10:42:01.204-05:0040 in 400<p><em>I turn 21 in 416 days from today. So, for the sake of simplicity, I want to do a “40 Things In 400 Days” Challenge. I added a new page at the top so that you can follow my progress and see the posts where I link back to when I complete them.</em></p> <p><strong>40 Things In 400 Days Challenge:<br></strong>1. Donate blood – <em>This would be dependent on me getting my weight up and my iron status to an acceptable level for donation. In the past, I have been pretty borderline, but I’m hoping with my improved diet this will no longer be a problem. I’m B+ by the way!</em><br>2. Get a tattoo – <em>I already have one, that I got last summer, but I’ve really been meaning to get another one and have several designs in mind, but nothing really pops out at me as something I can’t live without.</em><br>3. Leave an inspiration note inside a book for someone to find – <em>Inspired by Operation Beautiful, which I read recently.</em><br>4. Tie a note to a balloon and let it go<em> – Same as above.</em><br>5. Complete a 365 day photo challenge – <em>I’ve always wanted to do this, but the commitment seemed too daunting.</em><br>6. Buy a scratchcard or lottery ticket<em> – I have yet to do this since turning 18, and you never know what will happen!</em><br>7. Do some volunteer work – <em>I’ve really been meaning to get back into this.</em><br>8. Make a birthday cake for someone – <em>…and make it deliciously vegan!</em><br>9. Run a half marathon – <em>You already know that I plan on doing this in September.<br></em>10. Take a fitness class – <em>I have never taken a group fitness class before.</em><br>11. Read all of the books currently on my shelf – <em>These are: The China Study, Under the Dome, The Gatecrasher, and Thrive. It is incredibly hard to get myself to read non-class books when I take classes.</em><br>12. Meet an online friend in person<em> – I’m going to need your help on this one!</em><br>13. Get a massage – <em>Always wanted to do it, but I don’t really like people touching me. Time to get over it.<br></em>14. Wear only skirts/dresses for a week – <em>This comes back to my body insecurities and general lack of femininity.</em><br>15. Host a giveaway on the blog – <em>I’ve done this once before, but I really want to do another when I think that enough people will participate.</em><br>16. Buy a suit – <em>My mother has been on my back about this since Fall.</em><br>17. Make a new recipe at least once a month<em> – I keep buying cookbooks but don’t go past looking through them. This needs to change!<br></em>18. Renew my library card and actually use it – <em>It’s free for residents, so why not utilize it?<br></em>19. Watch the sunrise and sunset in the same day – <em>Both are always so beautiful.<br></em>20. Add change to a stranger’s expired parking meter – <em>I read about people doing this from time to time and it really makes their day. I want to make someone’s day.<br></em>21. Get a new winter coat – <em>The one I have is ill-fitting and, therefore, does not keep me as warm is it probably should.<br></em>22. Attend the midnight premiere of a movie – <em>I have already done this twice in the past. Once for Twilight and once for Iron Man 2.<br></em>23. Finish a 500+ piece jigsaw puzzle – <em>I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again!<br></em>24. Buy something for myself spontaneously and without guilt – <em>I always overthink things. “Do I really need this?”, “Do I want to spend THAT much on something?”, etc.<br></em>25. Get my eyebrows waxed – <em>I used to get this done at least once a month and have since fallen out of the habit. My eyebrows could use some proper grooming.<br></em>26. Surprise my mother with flowers – <em>Lets face it, she deserves it.<br></em>27. Go camping – <em>Even if it’s just in my own backyard.<br></em>28. Vote – <em>I’m a bad citizen! I haven’t voted, but at least I’m registered!<br></em>29. Visit 3 local restaurants that I’ve never been to – <em>Lived in the same town for almost 20 years and I hardly ever go out.<br></em>30. Make my own nut butter – <em>Tried and failed once, time to try again.<br></em>31. Make a new friend – <em>A real one, not just a Facebook friend, but one that I talk to and see regularly who knows something about my life.<br></em>32. Listen to one iTunes U lecture a month – <em>Expand your mind!<br></em>33. Pull an all-nighter – <em>I’ve come close in the past, but always end up passing out at some point before the night is over.<br></em>34. Ride a rollercoaster without closing my eyes – <em>One of my biggest fears.<br></em>35. In bed by 10pm for one week – <em>A girl needs her sleep.</em><br>36. Have a girl’s night out with my mom – <em>Again, she deserves it.<br></em>37. No gum for one month – <em>I have a MAJOR gum-chewing addiction.<br></em>38. Visit a state that I’ve never been to – <em>I’m not picky on which one.</em><br>39. Win something – <em>A giveaway, a race, $1, seriously, I’m not picky.</em><br>40. Finish this list – <em>This may seem like a cop-out of one of my things, but it IS the ultimate goal, isn’t it?</em></p> <p><font size="5">BRING <em>IT <strong>ON</strong></em></font></p> Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-83486654733838334762011-03-30T20:04:00.001-05:002011-03-30T20:04:26.269-05:00The Cosmos Throw Another Curveball<p>I have some very sad, very unexpected news.</p> <p>Despite me acquiring a letter from my primary physician signing off on me studying abroad in Tanzania this summer, the University Physician, who holds the ultimate okay, said no. I received an e-mail today saying that my acceptance has been rescinded and that I am being withdrawn from the program. They cite “health concerns” as being the reason my withdrawal despite me sending them the letters that the office requested.</p> <p>So, I will not be traveling this summer. As if this was not heart-breaking enough, it also looks like there is still <strong><em>$700</em></strong> that I will not be able to be refunded, which is a very hefty chunk of change. I’m trying to be positive and think of it like “At least I’m getting most of it back, or <em>anything</em> back for that matter”, but it’s hard. I always thought that I would study abroad while in college, and now that won’t happen. This is not a matter of “Oh, just go next summer”. This was my one chance.</p> <p><a href="http://www.enemyofdebt.com/2009/10/when-your-financial-plan-takes-a-detour-it-doesnt-imply-failure/"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://www.enemyofdebt.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/detour.png"></a></p> <p>I had my heart set on this trip. I was counting on it, not just for the college credits, the honors credit, or even the chance of getting to climb one of the highest peaks on our Earth. No, what I most had my heart set on was the experience. To get to see first hand the people I read about in my textbooks. To finally make myself let go of my anorexia and allow myself to heal. I’m saying it “out loud”. My name is Ellen, and I am an anorexic and I have been for the past 6.5 years. It is not nearly as bad as it was when it first surfaced when I was 13, but it is still very much a part of me.</p> <p>In my head, I feel like this is an attack against me. A punishment. But, in my heart, I know that this is happening right now for a reason. Right now, the only thing I can think of is that I’m supposed to run in that half marathon this September. The Tanzania trip would have taken me 4 weeks out of training. Now with the trip called off, I still plan on taking a few credits toward my degree, but also to continue, without interruption, my training to compete in the Capital City River Run Half Marathon and live at home while continuing to work with therapists, doctors, and counselors to make this possible.</p> <p>I had to do a serious re-haul of my life for the next two years in a very short period of time, because I schedule for next year this Friday. And with my summer plans changed, I decided to enroll in more classes this summer than I had originally planned.</p> <p><strong>This is going to happen. </strong><em><strong>I am determined.</strong> This is the year that I let go. </em>I hope that you all stick around and offer me your advice, support, and stories throughout this entire process. I need your help. I can’t do this alone, nor do I plan on doing this alone.</p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://www.ineedmotivation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/sp-129-0304_36_24perseverance-posters.jpg"></p> <p>On another, unrelated-but-still-related note, I found out this past week that my father has been diagnosed with stage II primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) (stage I being the least severe and stage IV being the most severe). Without medication, he may have another 6-10 years left, and with medication the doctor says that he will probably die of some other cause first (he turned 61 this March). PBC generally does not show any symptoms and is detected from abnormal blood tests. It is also 10x more likely in women and there appears to be some sort of genetic factor. So, starting in the next 10 years, in addition to being tested for breast cancer, I need to be tested for PBC as well since I have an elevated risk of both.</p> <p>The only one in my family who seems to be doing well is my mother, who decided to rejoin Weight Watchers as a Christmas/New Years gift to herself. I could not be more proud of the changes and progress that she has made in the past 3 months. I’m trying to convince her to compete in a 5K some time in the next year, even if it is just walking one.</p> <p><em>For those of you who stuck it out through this post, thank-you. It means a lot for me to be able to write this all down, but it’s another thing entirely to actually have someone read my words and digest my thoughts and provide feedback. You guys really do mean more to me than you know.</em></p> <p><strong>“What lies behind us and what lies before us are small compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson</strong></p> Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-40810312586212276382011-03-28T14:15:00.000-05:002011-03-28T14:15:02.239-05:00Feeling A Change In The Winds<em>Just a short little post to start off the week:</em><br /><br />I'm all moved back in to my mom's house and already I have felt so many changes in my stress levels and in my body. Almost immediately upon returning home and getting all of my things out of the toxic apartment, my appetite has returned and so far I have had <strong>zero</strong> pain issues. Yes, my mind is apparently <strong><em>that</em></strong> strong and the apartment was causing me <em>that</em> much stress. I couldn't believe it. I have even been cooking more and experimenting more with foods and cooking already (<strong>with delicious, successful results for once</strong>)<strong>,</strong> and it's only been 3 days! The transition from a one-person household back into a two-person household is going to be a bit tricky at first, but I'm sure that we will get back in to the flow of things soon enough. Hopefully I can&nbsp;pick up on&nbsp;my new bus schedule quickly!<br /><br />My mom has been beyond supportive throughout all of this and I feel so fortunate to have a mother who would allow me to re-invade her life so much with very little notice. My mom really is my best friend and is the person that I am closest with nowadays. We even hit up <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/home/index.jsp?cid=ppc:529983168&amp;002=2376347&amp;004=412023298&amp;005=2974607550&amp;006=626230787&amp;009=e&amp;011=world%20market">World Market</a> yesterday to take advantage of their Friend and Family discount sale. We walked away with a ton of stuff for only $14! (<em>Thanks again, <a href="http://fitnessista.com/">Fitnessista</a></em>). Among the steals was: Strawberries &amp; Champagne Dark Chocolate, seaweed snacks, ramekins, Torrani SF raspberry syrup, and miso soup mix.<br /><br />In other news, if you <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/ucrunnereats">follow me on Twitter</a>, then you know that I have decided to compete in my <em>very first <strong>HALF MARATHON</strong></em> this September. I plan on following a modified <a href="http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm">Hal Higdon</a> Novice training plan. This will be a bit tricky, because in May and June I will be taking a fitness class at the university for my degree, but I plan on using those workouts as supplements or replacements to my training runs and workouts depending on what we do. Also, I will be gone for the entire month of July for my Tanzania trip. The trip will be pretty physically demanding, so I'm confident that it can be incorporated into my training plan and to do a few weeks&nbsp;of stepping back when I arrive back in the States to get me back on track. I'm so excited to be able to share this with all of you, but my 5K this past weekend really inspired me as to the strength and adaptability of the human body and the healing powers of&nbsp;a well though out diet. I even took the plunge and finally bought a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CSWCQA">Garmin Forerunner 305</a>&nbsp;and Brendan Brazier's book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0738212547">Thrive</a>, with the rest of my Amazon gift card leftover from Christmastime! Both should be here early this week.<br /><br /><em>FIVE</em> weeks of classes and <em>ONE</em> week of finals stands in between me and the end of the semester. So much to do, but I already have a pretty good start on my deadlines. Let's <strong>crank it OUT, </strong><em>do work son</em>, and all that jazz!<br /><br /><strong><em>Anyone else out there training for a half marathon or already completed a half marathon who wants to give me some advice?</em></strong>Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-78473210643908799052011-03-26T11:48:00.003-05:002011-03-29T09:37:09.726-05:00Run for the House<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TY4Y4NkUm1I/AAAAAAAAAvM/Jlhlt_KduFg/s1600-h/189836_1262091913049_1252230632_30879552_6164121_n%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="189836_1262091913049_1252230632_30879552_6164121_n" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_T5Odf_Uklfk/TY4Y4QzMJRI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/Evo8bZIn2BY/189836_1262091913049_1252230632_30879552_6164121_n_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="189836_1262091913049_1252230632_30879552_6164121_n" width="240" /></a></div><br />That’s right, I had a 5K race today for the Ronald McDonald House in Lansing. <em>The Ronald McDonald House program provides a “home-away-from-home” for families so that they can stay close by their hospitalized child at little to no cost. Every house provides home-cooked meals, private bedrooms, and playrooms for children. Ronald McDonald knows that families are stronger when they are together and that it’s important to the healing process.</em> This year, thousands of dollars were raised through the Run for the House fundraiser.<br /><br />I came in 1st in my age group (Females 15-19) and I think 95th overall <em><strong>(edit: 94 out of 624)</strong></em> with a time of <strong>25:18</strong>. Just 17 seconds <em>slower</em> than my <a href="http://ucrunnereats.blogspot.com/2010/09/capital-city-river-run-and-great.html">CCRR time</a> and 10 seconds <em>faster</em> than my high-school cross country time. Considering that I didn’t really consciously train for this race or planned on competitively racing for this 5K, I was quite proud of my time and absolutely <strong><em>LOVED</em></strong> receiving my first non-participant medal. And all this in <strong>20deg</strong> weather!<br /><br />In other news, this weekend I am moving out of my apartment and back in with my mom until my new lease starts at the end of August. In order to be really ready for my Tanzania trip, I really think that I need to be home. I just was not gaining weight at the apartment, which was a <em>toxic</em> environment for me. I was able to obtain a doctor’s note to get out of my lease early, as well as the doctor’s note that I needed to be allowed to go to Tanzania, so, it looks like everything is coming up Ellen!<br /><br />I’ll be extremely busy settling myself in to my “new” place, but I’m so glad that I’ll really be able to take care of myself and be in a better environment to heal and grow. I still plan on working out, but it will no longer be in a gym setting, but rather more workout DVDs and outdoor running (<em>once the weather finally warms up a bit</em>).<br /><br /><strong><em>What kept you going the last time it felt like the whole world was against you?</em></strong>Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-32037539851833718822011-03-22T18:40:00.001-05:002011-03-22T18:40:16.086-05:003 “No’s” And 1 “Yes” Is Still A “Yes”<p>Doctor’s appointment on Friday went much better than expected. I have lost a tiny bit more weight, but I chalk that up to long hours at school and increasing the intensity of my workouts before I was able to buy enough food to (1) fuel my workouts, in addition to (2) be eating enough to not just fuel the workout and properly refuel, but all gain weight in a healthful manner. My primary physician said that she will indeed write me a letter and I feel so glad and fortunate for that. She too has to deal with IBS and so knows the chance you take just leaving the house with this condition. So, it’s looking like my summer study abroad trip to Tanzania is <em>back on, baby</em>! Once I have her letter in my hands, I will be able to get a sign-off from my therapist as well as the university physicians who approve all applicants before their departure.</p> <p>There have been good days and bad days, but mostly good I would have to say if it came right down to it. Not much sleep has occurred in the past week, and what a week it was. Between working out, worrying about my doctor’s appointment, working, studying, and doing the rest of my assignments, I feel like this week didn’t even happen at it; it was just a day.</p> <p>Currently, I am working on getting out of the rest of my lease so that I can possibly move back home for the remainder of the semester and continue through the summer until my lease at the new apartment starts at the end of August. This has been something I’ve been considering for months, and had been taking baby steps toward (asking around for people who possibly wanted to sublease and whatnot), but now I’ve been taking real action to get out and so I plan on speaking with one of the managers on Monday about moving ASAP rather than waiting until the summer or until after someone has actually taken over my lease when I might have to deal with finals and summer classes beginning at the same time as moving. Plus, if I say that I am willing to move out immediately, that makes me a more desirable candidate for people who want to move in for only a few months. They don’t want to have to deal with moving during the short finals/summer course transition period either.</p> <p>I will be insanely busy for the next month. That I know of for sure, I have <strong><em>THREE</em></strong> ten(ish)-page research papers to write that I’m just beginning or thinking of beginning, in addition to my regular load of studying for exams and regular class assignments. I also have a 5K (not competitive, I’m just doing it for charity and for the Food and Nutrition Association club I’m a member of) next weekend. Since I have yet to run outside since the CCRR at the end of September, I’d just be happy to finish this race, but I’m still aiming for under 30-minutes just because I think it’s a good idea to go in with a goal in mind.</p> <p>As far as St. Patrick’s Day goes, yes, I did allow myself to have a little bit of shenanigan fun. Though, I think I pulled something when I was <strong>whippin’ my hair back and forth</strong>. My neck and shoulders are insanely tight and sore still and I’ve just kind of been dealing with it since I don’t know what else to do. I’m hoping that it goes away on its own soon!</p> <p>I’ll let you all know how the leasing thing goes, because I truly feel like I need to move back home in order for me to really get healthy enough for the Tanzania trip this summer. Other than that, I’m busier than ever and hope to post again in a week or two. In the meantime, I’m on Twitter and posting much more on there then I am on here, so, follow me if you want!</p> <p>Sending my love to the blogoverse, wish me luck on my 5K this weekend. It’s gonna be a cold one.</p> Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-297624432189057552011-03-13T13:45:00.001-05:002011-03-13T13:45:53.362-05:00Facing Adversity<p>You know how I said that <a href="http://ucrunnereats.blogspot.com/2011/03/stop-holding-me-back.html">I got permission from my therapist</a> to go to Tanzania? Well, <em>she apparently has changed her mind</em>. I received a call on Wednesday that she won’t write me a letter until I get records from my primary care doctor and <strong>that</strong> doctor signs off on me going. I guess that makes sense, but I still think it was pretty cruel of her to say that she would write me a letter and then take all back. So, now I have an appointment to see my doctor this upcoming Friday and hopefully I will be able to get back on track to go. I really don’t know what I’d do if I can’t get this letter. I’ve already invested so much time and money into this and there’s no way to recoup my losses at this point. It really all comes down to this one appointment on Friday, so, prayers (<em>if you do that kind of thing</em>) and positive thoughts won’t be turned away.</p> <p>On another note, even though I’ve gone vegan, I’ve decided to add back in honey. Many vegans do not eat honey because it is considered exploitation of animals (the honeybees), but I’m just not in a place right now where I can be excluding all of the many products that use honey as a sweetener and/or binder. I hope that any vegans out there who might read my blog will respect my decision about this because it is not something that I take lightly.</p> <p>In the meantime, I’m finishing up spring break over here. I didn’t go anywhere nor did I do anything fun locally. I mostly just read for classes (there was actually quite a lot that was expected by the professors considering the break and that we just had midterms). I’m pretty sure I received 4.0’s on all my exams, but I can’t be sure, and I’m surprised to say that I don’t especially care. I do all my work, I study, and I do the best that I can and that’s good enough for me and usually good enough for the professor as well <strong>thankfully</strong>.</p> <p>I’m still working on reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Vegan-Complete-Adopting-Plant-Based/dp/1570671036/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1300041233&amp;sr=1-1">Becoming Vegan</a> and it’s really helped in alleviating some of the food fears and aversions that have recently resurfaced and is helping to better educate me in what I should be eating as a vegan to ensure that I’m not missing out on anything important. I can’t believe I forgot about beans! It’s true, I literally <strong>forgot</strong> that beans exist and are packed with good stuffs for your bod.</p> <p>Anyone else following the expo going on right now on Twitter? Katie has a <a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/veganism/ccv-in-a-box/new-product-alerts/">really good page</a> on a bunch of exciting new products that are coming out that I can’t wait for! Can you say <strong>vegan So Delicious Greek yogurt </strong>and <strong>vegan Amy’s cheese pizza!?</strong> I can’t even recall the last time I had a piece of pizza. I just find it so hard to cook for myself because it’s <em>just me</em> and most recipes aren’t meant for just one person to be consuming and I can only enjoy leftovers for so long before becoming absolutely sick of it. <em>That didn’t stop me from buying <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Happy-Herbivore-Cookbook-Delicious-Fat-Free/dp/1935618121/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1300041892&amp;sr=1-1">The Happy Herbivore Cookbook</a>, though!</em></p> <p>That’s all that I can really think of to say right now. I’ll be sure to post either this coming weekend or early next week about how everything went and where everything with Africa stands.</p> Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-11553022283510766022011-03-06T21:06:00.001-06:002011-03-06T21:06:50.919-06:00Stop Holding Me Back<p>Well, let’s just say that the appointment with the travel clinic did not go at all according to plan.</p> <p>First off, I don’t know what immunizations I have received and, with switching doctors so many times, it’s a mystery as to where my records are that would list what shots I received at my pediatrician. We’re trying to get access to my records somehow, but for now I only know what I’ve received from 2005 to the present.</p> <p>Also, the appointment took over an hour when it was supposed to only take 45 minutes. These appointments aren’t free and they charge by length, so that’s an extra $25 I was not very happy that I had to spend.</p> <p>Then, on top of that, they are putting a red flag on my file saying that, as of right now, I can’t go to Tanzania this summer, even though I’ve already been accepted into the program and spent over $3,000 towards the trip already thus far. I’m doing all I can in acquiring letters from my various doctors and therapists (I already have permission from my psychiatrist), and hopefully that will be enough for them to sign off on me going again. Other than that, I'm going to keep going to the gym and trying to eat better so that my body will be strong enough to withstand this strenuous activity.</p> <p>No. I have no idea what I will do if I’m on top of the Mountain and am all of a sudden hit with a wave of pain. There’s nothing I can do to prevent the pain from occurring and, once it hits, there’s not much I can do to stop it. But, I don’t think that I should bail on this opportunity because something bad <em>might</em> happen. I could just as likely get hit by a boulder or slip and sprain my ankle and neither of those possibilities would stop me from going, so why should this? I know that I need to go. I just have a feeling that this is something that I really need to do and do <strong>now</strong>.</p> <p>The proceeding meeting with the ED counselor was short but good all the same. We’re meeting again after my next study abroad meeting to talk about steps for me to take when I’m in Africa. For the record, I do not plan on being able to be a vegan for my study abroad, and especially not on the hike. Now, this does not mean I’m going gung-ho for the red meat and cheese; I will still be keeping it to a minimum. But, I will be in a country with limited health care options and we both think that I need to start building my system up to some of the foods I will be eating to lessen the chance of adverse reactions from my IBS and disuse.</p> <p>This is not a vacation. This is not Paris, London, or San Francisco. People eat what they can when they can and, just as many of the people I will see can’t afford to be picky, neither can I while I’m there.</p> <p>There is still a lot that I need to do and a lot about myself that needs to change, or at least be progressing towards a better place, before I go. There are a lot of habits that I continue to hold on to that I just can’t shake. <em>Yes, I still count calories. Yes, I still weigh myself every day.</em> And, <em>yes, I let these numbers influence my choices (most of the time).</em> I am only allowed one piece of luggage on this trip and there isn’t a bag on Earth large enough to hold all of this <strong>baggage</strong>.</p> <p align="center"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://www.silentkimbly.com/images/Kimbly_animated_buttons/Emotinal_baggage-small.jpg">(<a href="http://www.silentkimbly.com/2007/09/21/emotional-baggage-t-shirt-for-pre-order-sale/">Source</a>)</p> <p><strong><em>Why does this all have to be so hard?</em></strong></p> Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-39757744752611316302011-03-02T20:04:00.002-06:002011-03-02T20:05:30.462-06:00Over And Done<p>Midterms are over and done!</p><p>I already know half of my grade for my Sociocultural Aspects of Food class and my Basic Skills in Dietetic Practice class. Now I get to just coast through the rest of the week.</p><p>Actually, I only have an hour of work, an appointment with the travel clinic (for malarial meds and maybe some vaccinations if I’m not up-to-date), an appointment with a counselor (the one I met with that I <a href="http://ucrunnereats.blogspot.com/2011/02/holy-temperature-change-batman.html">mentioned earlier</a>), and THEN I’m officially on Spring Break. Ready to hunker down in the gym, read, do extra-credit assignments, and maybe see a friend or two (<em>hopefully</em>).</p><p>I’ll let y’all know how my appointments tomorrow go, but until then…</p><p><strong><em>Attention all bloggers: Who doesn’t love money?! Enter to win $100 from Swanson Health Products!</em></strong></p><br /><a href="http://www.swansonvitamins.com"><img src="http://images.swansonvitamins.com/en_US/images/blog/certificate.jpg" alt="vitamins and supplements" width="485" height="200" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold; line-height:30px">Have a blog? Want to win a $100? Check out the <a href="http://healthblog.swansonvitamins.com/blog/health-news-and-opinion/bloggers-win-a-shopping-spree-from-swanson-vitamins">Swanson Health Blog</a>.</span><br /><br />Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-6122916047755078582011-02-28T10:56:00.001-06:002011-02-28T10:57:07.274-06:00Over Before You Know ItThe end of February already? I'll take it. Bring on the sunshine and warmer weather!<br /><br />Today marked the beginning of midterms week here at university. It's only Monday and I'm already two down and two to go. I did pretty well on my Physiology exam and I'm feeling pretty confident after my Sociocultural Aspects of Food exam. My next one is on Wednesday and then the last is sort of whenever I feel like taking it because it's online. Unfortunately, this does <b>not</b>&nbsp;mean that my Spring Break starts any earlier because I still have to go to work and class every day. If only there were no lectures during midterms *<i>le sigh</i>*. Not that I'm going anywhere fun, anyways. It'll just be nice to lounge around reading (I recently started <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Vegan-Complete-Adopting-Plant-Based/dp/1570671036/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1298911495&amp;sr=8-1">Becoming Vegan</a> and am impressed so far), working out, and hopefully getting a <b>tiny</b>&nbsp;bit of work done as well. And, it'll help break the semester up in my mind. <i>Know what I mean?</i><br /><br />I'm really excited because a new cookbook came for me in the mail today! A few of you may have heard about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935618121">The Happy Herbivore</a> and, after reading her blog and looking at several of the recipes posted on her website, fellow bloggers' websites, and the previews available on Amazon, I decided to spend some of the gift card I have left over from Christmas on the official cookbook. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Weee!</i>&nbsp;I can't wait to try some of these out. If only I had a more adequate kitchen and pantry!<br /><br />I visited a doctor as I was advised by the counselor I talked to and had some more blood tests run just to make sure that, although I am underweight right now, my body is still operating as it should. And, indeed, my levels are all fine, which takes a bit of the load off my mind. I'm not really sure what the next steps are in regards to all of that, but I have an appointment to see the campus travel clinic to prepare myself for Tanzania. Malaria medications, anyone?<br /><br />I wish I had something more to say or post. Some deep thought I had that will provoke you to think yourself. I wish I had some great photo or recipe to post. Some big exciting piece of news in my life. But, I don't. I live an average life with average happenings and not much changes from day-to-day. My life bores even me, especially nowadays it seems. I can't seem to find anything that catches my interest and zeal for life and living. Put simply, <i>I am bored</i>. I hope that this is just a phase and that soon enough I will be&nbsp;burgeoning&nbsp;with life and enthusiasm for something, however short-lived it may be. <i>I feel limited</i>. We can't do everything that we want to do any time that we want to do it. I can't jet off to Paris for a month or two. Heck, I can't even go to the grocery store whenever I want. I hate that I find myself wanting to live vicariously through other people. I feel like my life is never more interesting or fun that anyone else's.<br /><br />Well, I guess this was a pretty random post when you come down to it. Hopefully I didn't lose a few of you along the way.Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-72122921852785787072011-02-21T14:14:00.001-06:002011-02-21T14:15:30.348-06:00Holy Temperature Change Batman!50 degrees and sunny one day, and blizzarding the next. Oh, Michigan, when will you stop deciding to be a PMSing woman? The roads are absolutely horrid right now and with exams occurring this week and next this storm could not have come at a worse time.<br /><br />I felt pretty under the weather this past weekend, which put a damper on my plans to see people and hang out with them, but I just did not have the energy to get myself out of bed or even to open my eyes. However, I still had several meetings which I could not cancel and had to drag myself to.<br /><br />I'm getting more and more excited for my Tanzania trip. Four weeks in another country and climbing to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Doesn't that just sound like absolute <em>bliss</em>?<br /><br />With the "heat wave" that struck and a general craving for fruits and vegetables, I've been craving and eating several <span style="background-color: white;">Epic Green Monster SIAB (smoothies in a bowl) lately. Also, more pasta. Maybe it's just the fact that I've been hitting the gym more, or that the weather keeps oscillating between warm and freezing cold, but a warm bowl of penne with a little mushroom pasta sauce and nutritional yeast (<em>eaten with lightsaber chopsticks</em>) is just so comforting sometimes at the end of a long day. In fact, I plan on another EGM when I get home from classes today. I made THE most scrumptious mix last night and can't wait to recreate it. If only making them didn't make my kitchen so dirty!</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white;">All in all, I've just been keeping myself very busy with appointments, volunteering, working out, and studying. I really need to hit the books in the next two weeks for midterms and then spend spring break slowly working on an honors paper I have due this summer for my study abroad. It's going to be about the use of medicinal herbs to treat malaria (<em>or something like that, I forget the wording of the actual topic</em>).</span><br /><br />I hope that all is well elsewhere in the blogosphere. In honor of NEDA (National Eating Disorder Awareness) Week, <em>or maybe I felt pressured because of it </em>(<em>in a good way</em>), I have an appointment to see a counselor at the university health clinic to talk about the aspects of my disorder that I'm still struggling with. I spoke with someone last week for a good hour or so that I chose based on her philosophy being more in tune with what I want to achieve rather than what's been thrown in my face all this time that all I need to do is gain weight and then I'll be "cured". She is more of the <a href="http://operationbeautiful.com/">Operational Beautiful</a> sort of woman which is what I so desperately want to focus on and become more like.<br /><br />I hope that last paragraph made sense since it sounded a little funny in my head. Anyway, I'll be filling you all in with another post next week and, in the meantime, you can follow me on Twitter @ ucrunnereats. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/ucrunnereats"><img alt="Follow ucrunnereats on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-a.png" /></a></div>Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-39019350774742856542011-02-15T09:10:00.002-06:002011-02-15T09:16:15.636-06:00I Don't Usually Ask For Help, But...Today, I'd like to share with you something that is very near and dear to my heart. Last year, I participated in my campus' Relay for Life campaign. Relay for Life is a fundraising event done through the American Cancer Society. Relay for Life is an overnight event designed to <strong>Celebrate </strong>those who are fighting cancer, <strong>Remember</strong> those who have lost their battles, and <strong>Fight Back</strong> against a disease that takes too much from too many people.<br /><br />I am participating again this year, but taking on a much bigger role in leadership as second-in-command on my team: <em>Never Lose Hope</em>.<br /><br />I ask that anybody who is able donate whatever they can to the cause as I stick it out for 16 hours outside on&nbsp;the campus&nbsp;track.<br /><br /><em>This event means so much to me because some of the strongest and greatest people that I know had their lives taken from them by breast cancer in early 2009. Both my grandmother and my youth group leader (and mentor) passed away within a month of each other from this horrendous disease. I pay homage to them and to the many more men and women who are diagnosed every year and the families who support them.</em><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bz2ZCXDI-Co/TVqYuo6Mi7I/AAAAAAAAAvE/8Nilml7w42Y/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bz2ZCXDI-Co/TVqYuo6Mi7I/AAAAAAAAAvE/8Nilml7w42Y/s1600/untitled.bmp" /></a></div>So, please consider giving what you can.<br /><br />Relay for Life is happening April 15-16, 2011. Please help us reach our goals.<br /><a href="https://secure3.convio.net/tacs/site/Donation2?1008575.donation=form1&amp;idb=2122015634&amp;df_id=1008575&amp;FR_ID=29889&amp;PROXY_ID=881008&amp;PROXY_TYPE=22"><span style="font-size: large;">Click here to make a donation.</span></a>Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7374297737402899520.post-24690277348694408512011-02-14T14:11:00.000-06:002011-02-14T14:11:05.025-06:00L is for...<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong><u><span style="color: red;">Happy</span></u> <em><span style="color: #e06666;">Valentine's</span></em> <em><u><span style="color: red;">Day</span></u></em></strong><span style="color: #e06666;">!</span></span><br /><br />Spend time with those that you love and tell them how you feel.<br />This applies to your best friend, your mother, your grandfather, your dog, and everyone in between.<br />Eat a piece of chocolate, buy yourself some flowers, watch a romantic comedy, or simply rejoice over the fact that February is halfway over.<br />Whatever you do, enjoy today!Ellen R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06286749489333809070noreply@blogger.com0